“I suppose. But do you cook in your skirt?” she asked, getting off the bed and shimmying into her panties and bra.
“Only on special occasions.” Quinn finished getting dressed and Collin linkedhis fingers through hers and led her out into the moonlight.
He warmed up leftovers and fed her properly before taking her cookies to his room and Quinn to his bed. Exhausted, with a full belly and feeling sated, she slept in his arms until the early morning hours.
Collin leftQuinn sound asleep in his room as he jogged down the stairs and into the kitchen. He grabbed a piece of bacon, crunching into the crispy goodness, then winked at Mavis, making her smile.
“Someone is in a good mood. I donae suppose it has anything to do with a certain American.”
“She’s great, isnae she?”
“Aye, I like her very much. But, Collin Menzie, I love you like a son, and you should remember that she’ll be leaving soon.”
Her words deflated his sails. She meant well and true, Collin did know Quinn would be leaving soon, but she was here now, and that was all that mattered.
“Someone pushed her over the cliff yesterday.”
Mavis paused mid-stir and shot her gaze to Collins. “Who?”
He shrugged. That was the million-dollar question. “Someone disnae want her here.”
“There’s only one someone I can think of,” Mavis said and resumed stirring. “Margarete. Which reminds me, she was looking for you last night.” Mavis pointed her spoon in his direction. “You should be wary of that one. She’s like a vulture, she is.”
“Speaking of Margarete, she dinnae attack me when I came downstairs. Where is she hiding?”
“Ah…you two must be talking about Margarete,” Angus said, walking into the room. He grabbed a biscuit and kissed Mavis on the cheek. “I passed her this morning on her way out. She said she had a meeting in town but that she’d be back by the party. She also said she gave the workers the weekend off so they wouldnae be in the way.”
“The party.” Damn, he’d forgotten about that. “I need to call the boutique. Quinn’s going to need a dress.”
“And whose colors will she be wearin’?” Mavis asked.
“Mine.” The answer was quick and automatic. The thought of seeing her in any other plaid made his stomach clench. All of the women would be dressed in the clan colors they represented. The boutique dressed both clans for just this occasion.
Mavis chuckled. “She disnae need a dress. She has one.”
Collin’s brows dipped as he stared at her.
“It was made special just for her. Donnae you remember?”
A smile split his lips. His heart skipped a beat just thinking about seeing Quinn in the antique dress. She’d be the vision in the portrait.
“Donae be ridiculous, Mavis. She cannae wear that old thing. I can take her into town to try some on. Where is the lassie?” Angus asked.
“She’s sleeping. The dress should fit Quinn, but Mavis, please call the tailor and have him on standby just in case.”
“And how would you know what size she wears?” Mavis asked.
Collin couldn’t contain his grin. Even though a gentleman never kissed and told, Collin knew Angus could read the answer on his face. He grabbed another piece of bacon before leaving them to head into his office.
Collin plopped down in his da’s old chair. Thinking of him made Collin’s gut clench. His da would have never let anyone staying under his roof get hurt, least of all Collin’s mom, while he was laird. Quinn would look like the lady of the house in the finest silk money could buy in that special dress, which was fit for aqueen. She would be the lady tonight, the one she claimed not to be last night. How had she put it? She’d not only be the arm candy by his side, but so much more.
Collin whistled while working on the growing pile of bills and paperwork that Ramsey had left on his desk. Not even the mundane busywork could ruin his morning. A soft knock sounded on the office door as he worked his way through the middle of his stack.
“Enter,” he yelled, expecting to be greeted with Quinn’s smiling face, not Abigail.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but Laird McDougall called and said you’re late.”
“Bloody hell.” Collin tossed the pen down. He’d been so preoccupied with thoughts of Quinn that he’d forgotten about meeting Ian at the pub to go over the list attending tonight’s party. “Tell Angus to meet me out front in ten minutes.”
